5 Things We Learned at Beginner Bootcamp (Get the free videos!)

Angela Parker is a benevolent trainer: She believes in liberty and workouts for all.

Her Santa Monica bootcamps have become crazy popular, perhaps thanks to that "Fitness For Everyone" philosophy. She's just as happy to help beginners (like moi!), as she is to help experts and celebs.

And now, we can all help ourselves -- to new free Beginner video workout moves on her Body Inspired Fitness site.

As a beginner, you will not be instructed to do the above, although that might make a funny YouTube video. We’ll leave that to Angela Parker herself. In fact, the trainer never takes you out of your comfort zone. Perusing her slew of new “Beginner” workout videos feels like hanging with a friend; a friend who is unusually perky and toned.

She speaks conversationally, offering tips to which we can relate. For instance, in the “How To Start a New Beginner Eating Routine” she recommends “throwing out the crap you shouldn’t be eating” and donating it to a shelter or, if you’re in an urban area, putting it out back by the recycling bins for local hungry homeless people to discover. (I would add: If you find yourself back out by the garbage the next day trying to find your discarded chips and soda, then you know you have a problem.)

The brand new Beginner Series includes super simple regimens for abs, leans legs and arms and here’s Parker’s top tip for each workout:

1. For your new eating routine: “Throw out the crap!”2. For starting a workout program, “Get a new outfit that actually fits you.” (Um. Sign me up. I’ll
shop my mushy arms away anytime!)3. For core/abs crunches: “When you lead with your hands, your neck won’t hurt.”4.
For arms: “You can’t be intimidated by push-ups! The key as a beginner
is to find a surface higher than ground level like a wall … then put
your palms against that.”5. For legs: “It’s really important that
your knees track your hips and your feet track your hips. When you’re
in proper form, you can’t get hurt!”

Now, we may not like to think of ourselves as beginners. But, the truth is, I know every time I lose the workout thread and then pick it back up again, I’m basically starting from scratch. Demanding too much of myself at the beginning means potential injuries and also inevitably giving the whole endeavor up. “People tell me how they want to have a
better fitness routine, but that they are fearful of how to
get started. [They] spend a ton of money on gym
classes and drop out because the workouts are too intense,” laments Parker. “I’ve created a series of videos to
get beginning students started on a path with realistic, attainable
workouts and moves they can do from the comfort of their own home or
favorite outdoor spot. It’s so important [to] feel encouraged and motivated as
they get started.”

In each clip, Parker breaks down two incredibly simple moves and instructs the beginning exerciser to do “repetition maximum” (a.k.a. as many as they can without needing to take a break). Then, repeat that number of movements two or three more times and do that daily. It’s that easy.

For example …

In this image from the “abs” video, Parker demonstrates a simple core strengthening exercise: First, put all your weight on your left leg and extend your arm halfway out on that same side for balance. Next, lift your right arm all the way up to the sky, tighten your core muscles and then draw your elbow down past your knee, while squeezing the stomach muscles. Hold that pose for a beat and then reach back upwards and slowly lower your right leg, still keeping weight on the left for stability. And repeat. Voila!

As an incredibly uncoordinated person, I can tell you that the exercises themselves are not remotely difficult to figure out, especially with Parker’s guidance. Plus, watching her workout in the Santa Monica grass makes you feel sort of like you’re by the Pacific Ocean too, right?

So, check out the moves to kick start your new workout routine. But, first, go buy a new outfit! How else will your biceps get toned?